At Work, Under Pressure

Jessi Beyer
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Management

Solve your workplace pressure point. At Work, Under Pressure is a podcast about the moments when work gets hard – when burnout rises, people get overwhelmed, conflict escalates, and mental health crises sneak into the workplace. Hosted by Jessi Beyer, a SWAT negotiator and licensed mental health professional, we take you behind the scenes of today’s workforce and show you what’s working and what’s not in workplace mental health, straight from the mouths of executives, HR professionals, safety/risk leaders, and corporate wellness experts who are seeing it firsthand. At Work, Under Pressure is for leaders who understand that people problems become operational problems when organizations are not prepared. If that’s you, pull up a chair, whip out a notebook, and settle in for real conversations about building workplaces that are safer, steadier, and better equipped for high-pressure human moments.

  1. 1d ago

    Miserable Millionaires: Wall Street, Wealth, and the Hedonic Treadmill with Gregg Schoenberg

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Money can solve a lot of problems. But it does not make someone immune to loneliness, burnout, insecurity, relationship strain, career disappointment, or suicide risk. In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Gregg Schoenberg, managing partner at Westcott Inc. and an executive coach specializing in the finance industry, to talk about Wall Street, miserable millionaires, wealth, burnout, loneliness, the hedonic treadmill, market pressure, and what successful people often struggle with behind closed doors. Gregg explains why the outside perception of Wall Street often misses the human reality underneath. Yes, many people in finance make extraordinary money. But they also work in an environment where the markets never really turn off, bosses and circumstances can exercise a “call option” on their time, and success can become normalized until even huge bonuses stop feeling like enough. Jessi and Gregg discuss: Why “miserable millionaires” are more human than the stereotype suggestsHow the hedonic treadmill shows up in Wall Street compensationWhy being a servant to the market can create a never-off lifestyleHow wealth can intensify loneliness, comparison, and isolationWhy high performers can struggle when their identity is tied to a specific career outcomeHow Wall Street’s incentive structures differ from technology and mission-driven companiesWhy arrogance in finance may be more of a persona than a permanent personality traitWhat Gregg would say to leaders who assume successful people are fine because they look fine This episode is for executives, investors, finance professionals, coaches, HR leaders, founders, and anyone who has ever assumed that money protects people from deep human struggle. Because wealth can change your circumstances. But it does not remove your need to be seen, supported, and understood. CONNECT WITH GREGG LinkedInWebsiteTEDxAstorPlace

  2. 3d ago

    The Neuroscience of Good Leadership and the Chemistry of High-Performing Teams with Evan LaPointe

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Human behavior is not mysterious. It is mechanical. In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Evan LaPointe of CORE Sciences to talk about behavioral science, neuroscience, leadership, AI, stress, motivation, culture, and why leaders need to understand how human brains actually work if they want better performance. Evan explains why psychology often fails to land with certain executives until it is translated into the mechanics of the brain: amygdala activation, cortisol, adrenaline, oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, and how those chemicals shape thinking, trust, creativity, collaboration, and decision-making. He also challenges the idea that AI should be used to replace people, arguing instead that the better current frame is using AI to make humans more capable. Jessi and Evan discuss: Why behavioral science became more useful to Evan when he translated it into neuroscienceHow leaders accidentally create the exact mindset they do not wantWhy AI should be treated as a multiplier, not a subtractorWhat happens in the brain when stress, threat, or anger take overWhy cortisol and adrenaline can reduce logical thinking and performanceHow oxytocin and serotonin support trust, purpose, resilience, and obligationWhy purpose-driven teams outperform teams fueled by fear, pressure, or resentmentHow leaders can create meaning by helping teams see the real humans affected by their work This episode is for CEOs, founders, HR leaders, people managers, culture leaders, consultants, and anyone trying to build teams that think clearly, collaborate well, and perform without being driven by fear. Because leadership is not just about getting people to act. It is about understanding which buttons you are pressing. CONNECT WITH EVAN LinkedInWebsite

  3. 5d ago

    “Rub Some Dirt in It” Isn’t a Mental Health Strategy for the Agriculture Industry with Mark Reid

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Agriculture runs on urgency. When a combine is down during harvest, it is not a normal service call. It is closer to 911. In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Mark Reid, CEO of Atlantic Tractor and co-founder of Opervia, to talk about agriculture, dealership culture, employee retention, leadership, onboarding, AI, customer urgency, and what it means to care for people in an industry that often tells people to rub some dirt in it and keep going. Mark shares his unusual path from horse racing and graphic design to becoming CEO of a 17-location John Deere dealership. He also explains how Atlantic Tractor approached culture after an acquisition, why employee-led culture work matters, how better onboarding helped cut turnover nearly in half, and why ag leaders need to recognize the pressure farmers and dealership employees carry. In this episode, Jessi and Mark discuss: How Mark went from senior graphic designer to CEO of Atlantic TractorWhy agriculture includes much more than row crops and tractorsWhat dealership urgency looks like when farmers need equipment running nowHow Atlantic Tractor built an employee-led culture committeeWhy turnover, onboarding, and customer experience are connectedHow Opervia is using AI to help dealerships improve intake and support staffWhy the ag industry needs more curiosity, empathy, and suicide prevention awareness This episode is for CEOs, HR leaders, ag leaders, dealership owners, operations leaders, customer experience teams, and anyone building culture in a high-pressure, service-heavy environment. Because in agriculture, caring is not soft. It is operational. CONNECT WITH MARK LinkedInAtlantic TractorOpervia

  4. Oct 2

    Simulation-Based Training and What People Can’t Learn From Lectures with Dr. Dale Olsen & Laura Humm

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Most people think they know how to have a difficult conversation. But when the stakes are high, confidence is not the same as competence. In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Dr. Dale Olsen and Laura Humm of SIMmersion to talk about simulation-based communication training, suicide intervention, law enforcement interviews, subject matter expert development, academic research, AI, and why skills that involve human conversation require practice. Dale shares how SIMmersion began after a conversation at the FBI Academy, where the challenge was clear: it took too long to train new agents to conduct basic investigative interviews. From there, SIMmersion built conversational simulations that eventually expanded into law enforcement, healthcare, alcohol intervention, disability employment, LGBTQ+ support, and suicide prevention. Laura explains how their team works with subject matter experts, lived-experience experts, researchers, and frontline professionals to build realistic simulations that teach not only what to say, but how to listen, adapt, and respond. In this episode, Jessi, Dale, and Laura discuss: How SIMmersion started with investigative interview training for the FBIWhy communication skills are difficult to teach through lectures aloneHow simulation helps people practice subtle, high-stakes conversation skillsWhy suicide prevention has moved from safety contracts to safety planningHow subject matter experts help build realistic suicide intervention scenariosWhy tone, openness, and listening matter as much as exact wordingWhat research has shown about simulation-based training and skill retentionHow SIMmersion thinks about AI, realism, cost, and the human element in training This episode is for L&D leaders, healthcare leaders, public safety professionals, suicide prevention trainers, researchers, HR leaders, behavioral health professionals, and anyone responsible for helping people perform under pressure. Because difficult conversations cannot be mastered by reading a slide. They have to be practiced. CONNECT WITH DR. OLSEN AND LAURA LinkedIn (Dr. Olsen)Website (SIMmersion)Website (The Dialogue Doctor - Laura's awesome writing coaching business and podcast!)

  5. Sep 30

    Career Transitions, Burnout, and the Courage to Choose What’s Next with Korie Pelka

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Sometimes the question is not, “What job should I take next?” Sometimes the question is, “What kind of life am I trying to build?” In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Korie Pelka to talk about career transitions, burnout, layoffs, retirement, creative identity, coaching, legacy, and what happens when successful people look great on paper but feel completely empty underneath. Korie shares her journey from theater and corporate communications into coaching, including the moment she volunteered to be laid off because she had nothing left in the tank. She explains how people can follow “energy breadcrumbs,” identify the work that lights them up, build a legacy story, and navigate major transitions without waiting until they hit a breaking point. In this episode, Jessi and Korie discuss: How creative skills can transfer into corporate leadership, communications, and coachingWhy it can be hard to use the pronoun “I” after years of telling other people’s storiesWhat burnout looks like when someone is still performing well on paperWhy control and flexibility are often the real needs beneath career-change conversationsHow leaders can notice disengagement before someone fully checks outWhy layoffs, retirement, and career transitions are emotionally significant momentsHow the “three buckets” exercise helps people decide what to leave behind, bring forward, and make room for This episode is for leaders, HR professionals, coaches, executives, career changers, retirees, and anyone who has ever thought, “I can survive this for a few more years,” while knowing deep down that survival is not enough. Because your career is not just a resume. It is part of the story you are building with your life. CONNECT WITH KORIE LinkedInWebsiteGet Unstuck. Get Clear. Get Going.: A Guide to Discovering and Planning the Next Stage in Your Career Journey

  6. Sep 28

    Building a Wellness Culture That Actually Reaches People with Olivia Carter-Hollis

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Employees do not stop being human when they walk into the office. They bring their mental health, family stress, grief, finances, relationships, anxiety, and caregiving responsibilities with them. In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Olivia Carter-Hollis of Heitman to talk about workplace wellness, mental health resources, claims data, HR burnout, leadership care, manager discretion, and what it means to build a culture where people feel noticed before crisis escalates. Olivia shares how Heitman has expanded wellness beyond chair massages and desk yoga into a more holistic strategy that includes mental health support, financial wellness, physical wellness, professional growth, employee relationships, personal stress, senior leader vulnerability, mental health resources, and a dedicated wellness space. She also opens up about her own experience with anxiety as an HR professional and why HR leaders need support too. In this episode, Jessi and Olivia discuss: Why wellness has to be more than a once-a-year initiativeHow claims data can help HR leaders identify where employees need supportWhy mental health resources need to be easy, personalized, and accessibleHow senior leaders sharing their own struggles can give employees permission to be humanWhy managers should use discretion when employees need flexibilityHow HR professionals can burn out while carrying everyone else’s problemsWhy workplace suicide prevention starts with noticing, asking, and making sure people do not carry crisis alone This episode is for HR leaders, people managers, wellness professionals, benefits leaders, executives, and anyone trying to build a workplace where care is practical, visible, and woven into the culture. Because sometimes the most important message an employee can hear is simple: "I notice, and I care." CONNECT WITH OLIVIA LinkedInWebsite

  7. Sep 25

    When Grief Comes to Work: What Leaders Get Wrong About Bereavement and Loss with Patricia Bravo

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Grief does not wait outside the office door. It comes to meetings. It answers emails. It leads teams. It hits deadlines. And often, it stays hidden beneath performance, behavior, silence, and operational strain. In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Patricia Bravo of The Empathetic Leader to talk about grief literacy, bereavement leave, leadership, loss, workplace support, and what organizations need to understand when grief enters the room. Patricia explains why grief at work is not limited to the death of a loved one. It can include professional loss, identity loss, relationship loss, role changes, missed promotions, organizational restructuring, AI-driven job changes, and any loss that changes what someone thought their life or career would become. She also shares why leaders do not need to become grief experts, but they do need language, awareness, presence, and the ability to check in over time. In this episode, Jessi and Patricia discuss: Why grief is already in the room at work, even when no one names itWhat grief literacy means and why organizations need itWhy the hierarchy of “acceptable grief” causes harmHow leaders can support employees when grief resurfaces months laterWhy bereavement leave alone is not a complete grief responseWhat to say, and what not to say, when someone is grievingWhy accompaniment matters more than trying to fix the loss This episode is for HR leaders, executives, managers, leadership development professionals, workplace culture leaders, and anyone who wants to support people with more humanity when loss changes their lives. Because the question is not whether grief will come to work. It is whether leaders will know what to do when it arrives. CONNECT WITH PATRICIA LinkedInWebsiteIn The Room: When Grief Comes To Work

  8. Sep 23

    Raise the Flag: Crisis Readiness in the World of Executive Protection with Oded Krashinsky

    CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE! Executive protection is not just about being physically capable. It is about judgment, emotional intelligence, perspective, and knowing when to raise the flag. In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Oded Krashinsky of Advanced Security Concepts and Pacific West Academy to talk about executive protection, veteran transition, bodyguard training, emotional intelligence, mental health awareness, and what it means to operate under pressure in deeply human environments. Oded shares how Advanced Security Concepts provides high-end protective services for families, estates, celebrities, and high-profile clients, while Pacific West Academy trains the next generation of executive protection professionals. He explains why the best protectors are not just technically skilled, but able to read behavior, understand pressure, stay calm, smile, serve, and recognize when someone may be in distress. In this episode, Jessi and Oded discuss: Why executive protection is ultimately a people businessHow military experience can build creativity, discipline, perspective, and problem-solvingWhy Pacific West Academy focuses on shaping personalities, not changing themHow bodyguards use emotional intelligence, silence, and observation with clientsWhy protectors may be uniquely positioned to notice mental health or substance-use crisesHow Pacific West Academy supports veterans during transition into civilian lifeWhy leaders do not need to be doctors to care, pay attention, and raise the flag This episode is for security leaders, executive protection professionals, veterans, criminal justice students, HR leaders, public safety professionals, and anyone responsible for keeping people safe under pressure. Because sometimes crisis readiness starts with one simple skill: pay attention. CONNECT WITH ODED LinkedInPacific West AcademyAdvanced Security Concepts

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About

Solve your workplace pressure point. At Work, Under Pressure is a podcast about the moments when work gets hard – when burnout rises, people get overwhelmed, conflict escalates, and mental health crises sneak into the workplace. Hosted by Jessi Beyer, a SWAT negotiator and licensed mental health professional, we take you behind the scenes of today’s workforce and show you what’s working and what’s not in workplace mental health, straight from the mouths of executives, HR professionals, safety/risk leaders, and corporate wellness experts who are seeing it firsthand. At Work, Under Pressure is for leaders who understand that people problems become operational problems when organizations are not prepared. If that’s you, pull up a chair, whip out a notebook, and settle in for real conversations about building workplaces that are safer, steadier, and better equipped for high-pressure human moments.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessi Beyer
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jessi Beyer
  • Show Website
    At Work, Under Pressure

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